[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6686297,"mediaKeyId","2220233-98ad93a0d252703ed0a0dd2df9f6526f","parentId",2220233,"title","HistoryMiami says $4M in bond funds moved without notice; commission approves reallocations and asks for follow‑up","audioSeconds",1200,"startMs",4860000,"endMs",6060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220233-98ad93a0d252703ed0a0dd2df9f6526f&start=4860&end=6060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220233-98ad93a0d252703ed0a0dd2df9f6526f/thumbnail_4860000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6686297/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/HistoryMiami-says-4M-in-bond-funds-moved-without-notice-commission-approves-reallocations-and-asks-for-followup","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686297-1529061a957c4212d47992f49b7806ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188463&Signature=HcE6iuqPiGr5cq5LjWovjnQr6uVpIQXQpdp2TxVWkMlk4MPwcxuHikEJOFaRf6QKXfJB031cxUlZaOpsqY11sMnbZkVLi~vNVOUAmWmMkazYHVLuwz~p~uHDrLoSPicjlWnR7Zw8HTraxBnZ2lrdTJ8DsxbHYev5RpF-fSdh59-nR5Xuy0aNPbNwViFKeU37IQ6Io25soQ-9bJdo74HzG5-3WFbrSCFjLhZnO4bzqmFOqy8BGTewku2WNsDi~JZGcfA3SWPvBXN1SCMEdd7KGOjPLuwCfziZayOvalmi7qSauUIvoeruSadv-yTfXvWiYFe7ROUjm5YAgdGps4Uy0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Miami-Dade County","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","HistoryMiami representatives told Miami‑Dade commissioners at a Feb. 11 public hearing that they had been told only days earlier that roughly $4 million in Building Better Communities (GLB) bond funds earlier associated with the museum had been removed without warning.

Natalia [last name given in public comment transcript], chief executive officer of the museum, told the commission the funds were intended for museum expansion, renovation and maintenance but that ‘‘yesterday’’ the museum learned that $4 million previously earmarked had been taken away. She asked commissioners to help restore the funds, to clarify where the money had gone and to allow the museum to use remaining bond funds for urgent repairs and planning.

Commissioners discussed the item during the public hearing and then moved a separate agenda correction that updated addresses and authorized reallocations of related GLB line items. Commissioner Eileen Higgins moved an amendment to correct the address and indicated the county has moved forward with other planning work in the Cultural Plaza, including an RFP seeking a new cultural campus that would include HistoryMiami; she said the administration had indicated funding and planning work for a new museum were underway and that staff would brief commission offices on the status of GLB funds and Metro Center planning.

Several speakers at the public hearing supported HistoryMiami and asked the county to restore or explain the missing funds; commissioners emphasized the museum is a county cultural asset and asked administration staff for a briefing on the funding history and next steps.

Why it matters: HistoryMiami is a long‑standing cultural institution in the county and a regular partner in school and public programming. The museum’s claim that a significant bond allocation was moved without notice drew immediate requests for administrative follow‑up. The commission approved a technical correction to a GLB allocation item and asked administration to brief the commission offices about fund status and the museum’s capital needs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Miami-Dade County - Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners - Regular - Feb 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","HistoryMiami told Miami‑Dade commissioners Feb. 11 it had learned only days earlier that about $4 million in bond funds earmarked for the museum had been removed; commissioners approved a technical correction and asked staff to brief them on the funding history.","taxTitle","Miami-Dade County, Florida","taxId",2864,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6686298,"Commission approves manager to negotiate efficiency review after tense debate over sole sourcing",2820,10800000,13620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220233-98ad93a0d252703ed0a0dd2df9f6526f&start=10800&end=13620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220233-98ad93a0d252703ed0a0dd2df9f6526f/thumbnail_10800000.jpg","/articles/6686298/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Commission-approves-manager-to-negotiate-efficiency-review-after-tense-debate-over-sole-sourcing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686298-30251a726bad88486b9e2bb3f76db95d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188463&Signature=QYSV1xhxVuUM8Yw0v182dqoMaB4bSzRHip4JCU3pewwmUmqwd9EuZBh5qpJhyokiOPQGFniqDtd0SODZeD2w16~JyVefiaKi6aZfBMX7nuGxVvOnxy1CA59uWA1B0bLBUq3TqrYl1LkLbCwyDOos52YZO8Ge0xYeJ-xMNe3WksC8UTwIOcpyyXf8ZVz3J31eI6FWxPnZEal~WMmXmKVHl9d3XBopLQ2DTJqsAqdODReDb5EQLx~pXIvYfIdEJ3SJGdQif5H3cTks7a53441p0xm9BAeq6t9DBnyIJnxugiF6LCcdNt9GvDgIZYxJKcHUI5hhs7BqIHBA9o6MoB4RJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Miami‑Dade County Commission on Feb. 11 approved a measure directing the mayor to negotiate with a management‑consulting firm to conduct an efficiency audit and recommend operational savings, a vote that followed a sharply divided debate over procurement, sole‑sourcing and the urgency of reducing costs before the county’s next budget cycle.

Commissioners who supported the motion said the county faces an unusually tight budget year and that an outside set of experienced eyes can find savings the administration has not yet been able to surface; supporters cited a recent project by the same firm at Jackson Health System that identified large savings. Opponents argued county departments and the administration should be given time to produce their own efficiencies and raised process concerns about naming a specific firm without a competitive procurement on the floor.

The motion contemplated negotiating a contract for a phased, department‑by‑department review and stipulated that the consulting firm would be paid for realized savings only; supporters proposed starting with a limited scope so the firm could demonstrate results. Several commissioners urged a local‑firm preference or use of an existing county consultant pool; administration staff said they would work with procurement.

After lengthy floor debate — during which commissioners asked for stronger transparency and benchmarks in any contract — the commission approved the measure on voice vote. Commissioners asked that any negotiated contract come back to the board for approval and that the mayor seek phased implementation and concrete benchmarks tied to best practices drawn from other jurisdictions.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the vote as an urgent attempt to locate recurring, implementable savings ahead of the county’s next budget cycle. The decision follows similar consulting engagements by other large public entities; commissioners asked staff to provide benchmarks, local‑business outreach and frequent commission updates before contract signing.","Following extensive debate about procurement and process, the commission authorized the mayor to negotiate a contract for a management‑consulting efficiency review that had been performed for other local public entities; some commissioners opposed sole‑sourcing but the motion passed after discussion of urgency and potential savings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6686303,"Commission approves BenCor plan to hold employees' unused leave in retirement account; non‑bargaining employees enrolled automatically",0,12000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220233-98ad93a0d252703ed0a0dd2df9f6526f&start=12000&end=12000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220233-98ad93a0d252703ed0a0dd2df9f6526f/thumbnail_12000000.jpg","/articles/6686303/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/Commission-approves-BenCor-plan-to-hold-employees-unused-leave-in-retirement-account-nonbargaining-employees-enrolled-automatically","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686303-ccf9331a1ca3e6b0e957973299196c00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188463&Signature=i-sIvBx~NYQi9sIJlU4n8kGt3dagj4H~FbY1NtXqoVWxgg6iD1E9N7Fqiyb9qYyYYuVxN6Iz52uzCu4BfMG4qPQlZnuNYaR3~DYETkQK2VGtNL4e50HhEfVQ9YNAEuSMhczMxmuEuPZiSm-vFO2IL3As~mmnBXNPqDevD3qgvpX6Vu~3NEc5Lw71diKyxYR8-wBs9dICbRHVlg5URaXVEbAi-T3FBB1uCsGgHctu~iDGN7RwfPM-EnESLNlrTS-qe96b0I3eD1lccSkc2ze6k1baxnjESXGEpnxUuKS40avmLGPWrHulxk7x5fx93Sb6kar99KZIVEGCnW8RSDzFNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Miami‑Dade County commissioners on Feb. 11 approved a BenCor 401(a) plan to receive and hold employees’ accrued unused leave (for example, vacation or sick leave) when employees separate from county service.

Supporters said the plan gives employees a tax‑advantaged option to defer taxes on lump‑sum leave payouts, and it also produces long‑term federal tax savings for the county. Under the approved motion, non‑bargaining employees will be included in the plan automatically (the item applies immediately to non‑bargaining staff), and these funds will be invested; employees will be able to elect to roll the funds into eligible retirement accounts or to receive immediate payout. The plan’s structure was described as required by IRS rules governing 401(a) arrangements, which created the mandatory enrollment design.

Commissioners asked administration and BenCor representatives for details about opt‑out procedures, tax consequences and special‑risk employee exceptions. BenCor representatives said: (a) there are no administrative fees on the account line item; (b) underlying investment expense ratios support the service provider; (c) employees who are retirement‑age or in special‑risk classes can generally withdraw without the IRS early‑withdrawal penalty; and (d) for younger separating employees an “early‑offset” provision would preserve parity so those employees are not financially disadvantaged by the year of separation.

The vote followed substantial public and commissioner questioning about whether employees were being adequately informed and whether bargaining units should be consulted. Commissioners asked for educational outreach to employees; the mayor’s office said the item applies to non‑bargaining employees immediately and that bargaining‑unit implementation would be addressed in labor negotiations.

Why it matters: The approved plan changes how the county handles a recurring budget liability (leave payouts at separation) by creating a tax‑advantaged vehicle intended to reduce payroll‑tax costs and give separating employees more options about how to receive their leave payouts. Commissioners asked staff to provide outreach materials for employees before implementation.","The commission voted to adopt a BenCor 401(a) plan that will receive payouts of unused leave when employees separate from county service; the plan is mandatory for participating non‑bargaining employees and allows rollovers or immediate withdrawal options at separation.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6686308,"County commission urges federal government to maintain TPS for nationals from specified countries",3400,10064000,13464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220233-98ad93a0d252703ed0a0dd2df9f6526f&start=10064&end=13464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220233-98ad93a0d252703ed0a0dd2df9f6526f/thumbnail_10064000.jpg","/articles/6686308/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/County-commission-urges-federal-government-to-maintain-TPS-for-nationals-from-specified-countries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686308-0bc105cef034b8aeeb27af18c4f5c5be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188463&Signature=BZreYNhAStQ6JDfuLYQAR8fcroILxRQ9xFnzE5UPJuF3LwxO9iezIwj~sPI-3aiBnrrj09Red88VePFqGkhvrvSiV~iXSXQb2pkUaUeWiof95CJjp6Ws54rtKoubhSKNEI1om9d~GJdaHEhzEflr0b-3f3pqDSx5RTW1SekBdZu5FKSiVAyutViJr7MrhU1~dc~eKKqq49Io5B~y-LaItzFON04hJ1QCp-FpM~Ef42dju62IjhMlI1SkBezXlDJajaq3eWpAHk8xmAUXmL-L-dnlZG5aGf~fTqx8ZWbHp-T5bq68qMBZO1m74ph6WtFoSZTPcXYXq89D1crW6trZWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Miami‑Dade County Commission on Feb. 11 voted to urge the federal government to maintain Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for law‑abiding nationals from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela and other designated countries while conditions continue to preclude their safe return.

Senator René Garcia moved the urging resolution, which asked the board to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to the president, Florida’s congressional delegation and the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and to direct the county’s federal lobbyist and intergovernmental affairs office to advocate for the request and to include it in the county’s 2025 federal legislative package.

Commissioners debated the scope and language of the item: some argued for a broader list of countries and for care in the use of the term “illegal,” while others cautioned that immigration enforcement and designation of TPS are federal authorities beyond the county’s jurisdiction. Several commissioners said the resolution was primarily symbolic but important to show county support for residents who hold TPS and for county families. Vice Chair McGee and other commissioners suggested including all current TPS countries by reference to avoid excluding similar populations.

After amendments and co‑sponsorships, commissioners approved the resolution by voice vote. Co‑sponsors included multiple commissioners who asked that the county’s federal lobbyist press the administration to consider continuing TPS for qualifying nationals and to include the item in the county’s federal priorities.

Why it matters: Miami‑Dade County is home to significant populations from the countries named in the resolution. Commissioners said the urging reflects concern over humanitarian and family‑unity impacts if TPS were revoked while conditions in those countries remain unsafe; the resolution asks federal officials to consider the county’s residents as they finalize decisions about TPS.","Miami‑Dade commissioners voted to urge the U.S. president and Department of Homeland Security to maintain Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for nationals from several countries while conditions make return unsafe, and to include that request in the county’s federal legislative package.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6686314,"County to withdraw challenge to Greater Miami Expressway Agency order, commissioners say",833,6067000,6900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220233-98ad93a0d252703ed0a0dd2df9f6526f&start=6067&end=6900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220233-98ad93a0d252703ed0a0dd2df9f6526f/thumbnail_6067000.jpg","/articles/6686314/Miami-Dade-County/Florida/County-to-withdraw-challenge-to-Greater-Miami-Expressway-Agency-order-commissioners-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686314-588785816ffcf3793c7285a0e7cbd7aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188463&Signature=lor3tPKmaKXsvCcYhZVEo1-6mN615tNUgaV8VP~KWduywVfcXXOSYne89x6bXcS-wUmNqvHQi89CuR6cOYygg4osUvN80lbubhJo-TgKzxbQMcJmHG9Ny7oknew4VFN5Zw2AN3HjECjkPszG2Vjmf-QgsVmp-4W9q4iHczZ~eLp2VaxDhoTTdc2E9hRfQ9hnxdUomG0Ln0kNzrFzHi7wWj4ZSmwCaMaKQvBPlS7x3A5IN6xXVW5doJkoLdB9OshLNRyAFdH98QINfp0jIz5e~PYfs8d-qJpxmH9SDr0~f11WPYP1wvsyOl2g2o0zpPd9IFIT~W19IWpzvzLHqHcu3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Miami-Dade County commissioners voted on Feb. 11 to direct the county attorney to accept a trial-court order regarding the Greater Miami Expressway Agency Act of 2023 and to withdraw the county from current litigation challenging that law.

Supporters of the motion said withdrawing would allow the county and GMX to move forward on stalled projects and negotiations. Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla moved the action; it was seconded on the floor and approved by the commission.

The motion asked the county attorney to accept the trial-court order entered Sept. 25, 2024 in case no. 2021-024025 and to “voluntarily withdraw any pending motion” and dismiss any county appellate participation, while directing the attorney to memorialize the action in a resolution. Commissioners said the motion does not change the county’s position on home-rule powers in general and that the move was intended to “move beyond the current dispute” and restart cooperative work with GMX.

During debate, some commissioners pressed for clarity about the status of appeals and rehearing motions; the county attorney explained there was a motion for rehearing that had held the appellate timeline in abeyance and that withdrawing it would allow appeals to proceed (or not) as permitted by the courts. Commissioners who supported the motion said the withdrawal of county participation in litigation would help restart land-swap and right‑of‑way conversations with GMX and MDX.

The motion passed on a voice vote. Commissioners said the clerk of the board would transmit a certified copy of any resolution memorializing the action to GMX’s executive director and chair.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the vote as a pragmatic step to resume planning and construction on projects that involve state‑owned expressway components inside the county. The action removes an ongoing source of litigation risk between the county and the newly created GMX authority, according to commissioners and staff.","The Miami-Dade County Commission voted to accept a court order affecting the Greater Miami Expressway Agency (GMX) and to direct the county attorney to stop further litigation, in a move commissioners said will allow work with GMX on pending projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

HistoryMiami says $4M in bond funds moved without notice; commission approves reallocations and asks for follow‑up

Commission approves manager to negotiate efficiency review after tense debate over sole sourcing

Commission approves BenCor plan to hold employees' unused leave in retirement account; non‑bargaining employees enrolled automatically

County commission urges federal government to maintain TPS for nationals from specified countries

County to withdraw challenge to Greater Miami Expressway Agency order, commissioners say